Earthquake Resources
Government and State Resources
Earthquake Hazards Program – USGS
Learn more about earthquakes in the Northern California regions. Click on ‘General Quake Info’ or ‘Hazards & Preparedness’ for more information. The U.S. Geological Survey is a multi- disciplinary science organization dedicated to the timely, relevant, and impartial study of the landscape, our natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten us.
Earthquake Safety
Safety Do’s and Dont’s from the Alaska Sea Grant College Program. Alaska Sea Grant’s extension program offers technical assistance and information to individuals and businesses that enjoy and depend on Alaska’s seas and coasts.
Ready.gov for Kids
Ready Kids, a tool to help parents and teachers educate children ages 8 – 12 about emergencies and how they can help get their family prepared. The program includes family-friendly Web pages and online materials developed by Sesame Workshop and Discovery Education.
Emergency And Disaster Services
Government and State Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Select the topic of your interest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS is the principal agency in the United States government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human services.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Click on ‘Disaster Communities’ to learn about hazards, federal disaster assistance, and preparedness. FEMA prepares the nation for hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Federal Housing Administration
The Federal Housing Administration, generally known as “FHA”, provides mortgage insurance on loans made by FHA-approved lenders throughout the United States and its territories. FHA insures mortgages on single family and multifamily homes including manufactured homes and hospitals.
National Weather Service
Find the latest weather reports for your area. Click here for a list of local numbers that you can call for a local forecast in your area. The page lists states by regions: Alaska Region, Central Region, Eastern Region, Southern Region, Western Region. The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas.
Ready.gov: Prepare for Emergencies
A tutorial program from the Department of Homeland Security. Includes lists for various emergency kits, tips on creating an evacuation plan and information on natural events. The Department of Homeland Security leverages resources within Federal, state, and local governments, coordinating the transition of multiple agencies and programs into a single, integrated agency focused on protecting the American people and their homeland.
Misc. Resources and Nonprofit Organizations
Red Cross
Click on ‘Disaster Services’, ‘Be Prepared,’ or ‘Health & Human Services’ to learn about natural events. The Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, provides relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Also download the free Earthquake app, the first aid mobile app and all-inclusive emergency app – just in case!
Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to protect kids on the move, at home and at play.
National Safety Council
Scroll down and select an article of interest about safety. The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health.
Salvation Army
Enter your zip code in the box to find your local Salvation Army. Salvation Army social service programs meet the basic needs of daily life for those without the resources to do so themselves. Often, the programs provide food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance to pay utilities, and other necessities based on the need. Click here for more information about its Emergency Disaster Services.
PBS weekly newsmagazine NOW: List of state Emergency and Health Department
Click on your state for a link to your area’s environmental, health, public safety and emergency management departments. PBS, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a private, nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation’s 349 public television stations.
Insurance
Government and State Resources
Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC): Consumer Information Catalog
Type “insurance” in the search box for a lit of publications on various types of insurance. The FCIC publishes a new catalog four times a year. The Consumer Information Catalog lists numerous consumer publications printed by the federal government. For more information or to receive a catalog, go online or call 1.888.8PUEBLO (1.888.878.3256).
Misc. Resources and Nonprofit Organizations
Docu-Damage
Docu-Damage is an informational resource for those who have sustained damage from fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters and are now negotiating their way through the insurance claims process. The tips and information come from professionals in many industries including Insurance Adjusters, Public Insurance Adjusters, Contractors, Attorneys, Building Material Suppliers, etc.
Insurance Consumer Advocate Network
The Insurance Consumer Advocate Network (I-CAN) is a National Support Network of Respect for the insurance consumer.
Insurance Information Institute
Here you can find answers on homeowner’s insurance, filing a claim and general home security concerns. The mission of the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) is to improve public understanding of insurance, what it does and how it works. The Insurance Information Institute is a nonprofit communications organization supported by the insurance industry.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Read consumer publications, alerts, company and general insurance information. Click here for a link to insurance departments by state. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is the organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the four U.S. territories.
National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters
NAPIA is the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Public Adjusters are experts on property loss adjustment who are retained by policyholders to assist in preparing, filing and adjusting insurance claims. NAPIA members across the United States have joined together for the purpose of professional education, certification, and promotion of a code of professional conduct.
Legal
Misc. Resources and Nonprofit Organizations
LawHelp
LawHelp helps low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in their communities, and answers to questions about their legal rights in areas related to housing, work, family, bankruptcy, disability, immigration and other topics. This site has been built by Pro Bono Net, a nonprofit organization headquartered in New York, and by partnering legal aid organizations.
Nolo.com
Link to legal matters on property and money, rights and disputes, family law and more. Nolo.com is a legal guide, which provides do-it-yourself legal solutions for consumers and small businesses.
Prepare Your Home
Government and State Resources
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
Find out tips for strengthening and preparing your home for an earthquake. ABAG, the Association of Bay Area Governments, is the regional planning and services agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.
State of California – Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety
This 53-page PDF document features information on weaknesses in home structures and what to do to improve your home safety during an earthquake. The mission of the Seismic Safety Commission is to provide decision-makers and the general public with cost-effective recommendations to reduce earthquake losses and speed recovery.
Property Restoration
Nonprofit Organizations and Trade Associations
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
Choose from a variety of topics: cleaning, inspecting and restoration. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a nonprofit certifying body for the flooring inspection, floor covering and specialized fabric cleaning, and disaster restoration industry.
WHN – Home Inventory
Home Inventory Lists
Print out and fill in these WHN forms for each room in your home. A detailed list of your possessions and their locations, estimated value and price can make it easier when filing a claim after a loss or disaster.
4 Things to Know About Creating a Home Inventory List
A home inventory is a well-documented list and videos/photos of the belongings in your home. Click on the link above to learn more about making your own home inventory lists.
Photo Credit: PxHere